Pastor de Hermas 63

1Vendo-as, portanto, tão espancadas e tão maltratadas, entristeci-me por elas, porque eram tão atormentadas e não tinham descanso algum. E disse ao Pastor que falava comigo: “Senhor, quem é este pastor, tão impiedoso e severo e tão completamente desprovido de compaixão por estas ovelhas?” “Este,” respondeu, “é o anjo do castigo; e pertence aos anjos justos e é designado para castigar.

1Seeing them, therefore, so beaten and so badly used, I was grieved for them, because they were so tormented, and had no rest at all. And I said to the Shepherd who talked with me, “Sir, who is this shepherd, who is so pitiless and severe, and so completely devoid of compassion for these sheep?” “This,” he replied, “is the angel of punishment; and he belongs to the just angels, and is appointed to punish.

2Toma, portanto, os que se desviam de Deus e andaram nos desejos e enganos deste mundo, e os castiga como merecem com castigos terríveis e diversos.” “Gostaria de saber, senhor,” disse eu, “de que natureza são estes diversos tormentos e castigos.” “Ouve,” disse ele, “os vários tormentos e castigos. Os tormentos são os que ocorrem durante a vida.

2He accordingly takes those who wander away from God, and who have walked in the desires and deceits of this world, and chastises them as they deserve with terrible and diverse punishments.” “I would know, sir,” I said, “of what nature are these diverse tortures and punishments?” “Hear,” he said, “the various tortures and punishments. The tortures are such as occur during life.

3Pois alguns são punidos com perdas, outros com penúria, outros com doenças de várias espécies e outros com toda sorte de desordem e confusão; outros são insultados por pessoas indignas e expostos ao sofrimento de muitas outras maneiras: pois muitos, tornando-se instáveis nos seus planos, tentam muitas coisas, e nenhuma delas de modo algum tem êxito, e dizem que não prosperam nos seus empreendimentos; e não lhes ocorre à mente que fizeram más obras, mas culpam o Senhor.

3For some are punished with losses, others with want, others with sicknesses of various kinds, and others with all kinds of disorder and confusion; others are insulted by unworthy persons, and exposed to suffering in many other ways: for many, becoming unstable in their plans, try many things, and none of them at all succeed, and they say they are not prosperous in their undertakings; and it does not occur to their minds that they have done evil deeds, but they blame the Lord.

4Quando, portanto, foram afligidos com toda sorte de aflição, então me são entregues para boa formação, e se fortalecem na fé do Senhor; e pelo resto dos dias da sua vida são sujeitos ao Senhor com corações puros e têm êxito em todos os seus empreendimentos, obtendo do Senhor tudo o que pedem; e então glorificam o Senhor por terem sido entregues a mim e já não sofrem mal algum.”

4When, therefore, they have been afflicted with all kinds of affliction, then are they delivered unto me for good training, and they are made strong in the faith of the Lord; and for the rest of the days of their life they are subject to the Lord with pure hearts, and are successful in all their undertakings, obtaining from the Lord everything they ask; and then they glorify the Lord, that they were delivered to me, and no longer suffer any evil.”